A major revamp of public utilities across low-income settlements is under way in the town and suburbs as the Oulgaret and Puducherry Municipalities have stepped up investments in various civil works under the Union Government’s Cities Investments to Innovate Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) Challenge programme.
Around ₹ 34 crore was being spent by both the municipalities to improve internal road infrastructure, construct LPG crematoriums, renovate dhobikhanas, construct drains, strengthen storm water drains, upgrade cremation and burial grounds, construct community toilets and parks under their limits.
While the Pondicherry Municipality has taken up works to the tune of around ₹ 17 crore for various projects including construction of LPG crematoriums at Mudaliarpet, Sanniyasithope and Dhobikhanas, almost same amount had been incurred by Oulgaret in improving roads at Jeevananthapuram, Pavanar Nagar, Nesavalar Nagar, Lambart Saravana Nagar and parks at Reddiyarpalayam areas.
The Oulgaret municipality had also constructed LPG crematoriums at Pavazhakaranchavady, Shanmugapuram and upgrade burial ground at Mettupalyam. “Many of these projects have been completed and others are nearing completion. In a few days, some of these projects will be thrown open to public. Some of the projects like construction of LPG crematorium and renovation of Dhobikhanas have been pending for a long time. Completion of these projects, especially the road infrastructure and construction of park at Pavanar Nagar, will certainly have an impact on the living condition of people in low-income settlements in the town,” a senior official told The Hindu.
